Latest news with #tidalpool
BBC News
04-08-2025
- General
- BBC News
Momentum builds to bring back Scarborough outdoor tidal swimming pool
A campaign to reinstate an outdoor tidal swimming pool in Scarborough is growing with one of its campaigners saying its absence was "like fish without chips".Earlier this year, North Yorkshire Council backed plans to build a three-sided seawater pool at the top of South development now rests with Scarborough Sea Swimming Community Interest Company (CIC) - a group formed by sea swimmers and residents keen to open what it hoped would be a community Chiverall, one of the organisers, said the ambition was to help "everyone to enjoy the benefits of sea swimming – and safely." "I think a sea swimming pool would make a difference," she said. "It would help us when the tide is really rough so it would extend the season."We won't be at risk of any riptides or general rough sea conditions and we'd be able to swim all year round and that's the biggest benefit." 'Popular pastime' Ms Chiverall said the initial idea came out of conversations with other sea swimmers who were keen for Scarborough to have a tidal pool town's previous facility, also located at South Bay, opened in 1915 and was hugely popular but closed in 1989 after running into financial difficulties. A second salt water pool opened in North Bay more than two decades later but that also closed in contacting local councillors, Ms Chiverall and others set up a community engagement session last March to see if the appetite for a pool extended beyond initial interest. Councillor Rich Maw was one of the executive members involved in the early stages of the campaign and said sea swimming in Scarborough was "already hugely popular and growing". He said: "This isn't just about building a pool - it's about opening up access, boosting tourism and improving local quality of life."He added that with strong community backing and expert input it was his belief the project "can and should happen".The council commissioned a feasibility study which pinpointed the proposed site at Children's Corner, at the top of South plan also included a sheltered beach, changing area and bathing area for Chiverall said: "We envisage it will be free to use for anybody who wants to sea swim, whether you've done it before or just want to dip your toe in the water for the first time."She said there were many benefits to sea swimming and added: "Lots of the sea swimmers that I know and swim with, swim as friendship groups."Generally everyone I know who swims in the sea is very happy, relaxed and has a very healthy outlook on life." Five year dream Scarborough Sea Swimming CIC is now looking ahead at the next stages of development describing the support received so far as "phenomenal". It was recently awarded council funding to help run further community engagement Ms Chiverall said the group was realistic about the timescales of the project acknowledging that funding - through public donations and grants from local authorities and other organisations - would be challenging. "It might not happen for ten years or so, we know that. Although five years would be the dream," she added."We just think Scarborough without a sea pool is like fish without chips". Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
The Sun
09-06-2025
- The Sun
One of the UK's best seaside towns set to get new tidal lido on the beach
PLANS have been proposed for an outdoor tidal pool at one of the UK's oldest seaside towns. New plans have revealed a three-sided outdoor swimming pool, at the top of Scarborough South Bay. 3 3 If approved, the pool would have sand running into it and a sheltered beach and bathing area for children. The Scarborough Safe Sea Swimming Project's proposed site at Children's Corner is located near to the busy town centre, beach and next to the historic Scarborough Spa. A feasibility study was also presented to councillors, which was commissioned by North Yorkshire Council completed by outdoor swimming specialists and architects Studio Octopi. The study highlighted the potential boost to the local economy and benefits to well-being and health. The study also advised that there should be a pre-planning application "given the unique and rare nature of tidal pool projects". According to the BBC, Councillor Rich Maw said: "This idea began in the simplest of ways – with a letter from two local sea swimmers who asked me, 'How do we build a swimming pool?' "That one question has grown into a meaningful conversation, and now, the foundations of a community-led and deliverable plan. "Scarborough's South and North Bays are already loved by sea swimmers year-round. Cold water swimming is growing rapidly in popularity and for good reason." Scarborough was named one of the UK's best seaside towns by Conde Nasté Traveller last month, praising its reinvention of itself. Not only that, but Scarborough is the country's oldest holiday resort, dating back to the mid 1600s. New £4million lido to open in UK next year Even nicknamed 'Scarbados,' its long stretch of sand are the popular draw. There is also an English tidal lido right on the beach that you can only visit twice a day. Located in the historic fishing village in West Cornwall, Mousehole Rock Pool is open for 24 hours a day. However, when you can swim in the pool, depends on whether the tide is in or out. Due to being a tidal swimming spot, visitors can only have a dip twice a day. Essentially, during high tide the pool is exposed to the sea and fills with more water. But then during low tide, the pool can drain and will become shallower. The tide varies throughout the year, but in summer, Mousehole usually has two high tides a day - in mid-morning and the evening. Plus, a unique Victorian lido with outdoor lazy river to reopen with new £250k splash zone. 3
The Sun
08-06-2025
- The Sun
English tidal lido right on the beach that you can only visit twice a day
ONE of the prettiest pools in the UK is near a popular seaside town - but you will have to time it well to jump in. Found in the historic fishing village in West Cornwall, Mousehole Rock Pool in Cornwall is open for 24 hours a day, but when you can swim in it depends on whether the tide is in or out. 4 4 Mousehole Rock Pool is a tidal swim spot that you can only visit twice a day - because it's best to go in high tide. During high tide, the pool is exposed to the sea for a few hours on either side, making it accessible for swimming. The pool can drain with the falling tide and will become shallower. The tide varies throughout the year, but in summer, Mousehole usually has two high tides a day - in mid-morning and the evening. The best time to visit the tidal pool is just after high tide and you can check these with the 7-day tide forecast before going. Mousehole Rock Pool was built in 1969 for the local children to teach them how to swim, and has remained popular ever since. Mount's Bay towards St Michael's Mount and the Lizard. There's also the Rock Pool Cafe Mousehole which has reopened after winter break. It's situated above the Mousehole Rock Pool cafe so you can take in the views over the bay. The pool recently went under repairs to plug a leak as it wasn't holding water during low tide. The secret UK beach without the crowds – it has a free sauna and the largest tidal pool in the country 4 The repairs were spearheaded by the Friends of Mousehole Rock Pool. Volunteers with the support of local businesses have already emptied the community pool The first phase of the repair work had been due to start in March 2021 but was delayed. It took place on July 10, 2022 with a second repair day was also held later that year to repair the rock pool and again in 2023. More work is needed to maintain the pool as the plans going forward are to restore the access area for pushchairs and wheelchairs. The village of Mousehole, just less than three miles south of Penzance and is especially popular during the summer. However during the winter, Mousehole is considered one of the most magical place to visit because of its Christmas light display. Its annual Christmas lights adorn the harbour, usually from mid December. But there's not just a couple of lights - there's an estimated 7,000 bulbs that light up every evening and around 30,000 tourists head down to the coast to see them each year. And more UK lidos, sea pools and splash pads that are free to get into – perfect for the hot weather. Plus, the 'national treasure' beach lido in the UK's trendiest seaside town – that you can't swim in.
BBC News
08-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Outdoor tidal swimming pool could get go-ahead in Scarborough
A campaign to create an outdoor tidal swimming pool in a coastal town could be given the go-ahead after being backed by Scarborough Safe Sea Swimming Project was discussed by the Scarborough and Whitby Area Planning Committee of North Yorkshire Council at its meeting on plan is to build a three-sided seawater pool at the Children's Corner, at the top of Scarborough South Bay, which would have sand running into it and a sheltered beach and bathing area for Rich Maw said that outdoor swimming in Scarborough was already "growing rapidly in popularity". He said: "This idea began in the simplest of ways – with a letter from two local sea swimmers who asked me, 'How do we build a swimming pool?'"That one question has grown into a meaningful conversation, and now, the foundations of a community-led and deliverable plan."Scarborough's South and North Bays are already loved by sea swimmers year-round. Cold water swimming is growing rapidly in popularity and for good reason."He acknowledged that there were some risks to sea swimming, as "currents, and cold water shock make it inaccessible for many and potentially dangerous for some". The site at Children's Corner, which is located just south of the busy town centre beach and adjacent to the historic Scarborough Spa, was agreed as the preferred location by the Scarborough Sea Swimming Community Interest Company (CIC) andcouncil officers.A feasibility study was also presented to councillors, while campaigners who had initiated the project looked on from the public gallery above, according to the Local Democracy Reporting study was commissioned by North Yorkshire Council and was completed by outdoor swimming specialists and architects Studio committee members, including councillors Heather Phillips, Liz Colling and Roberta Swiers, also spoke in favour of the plan. According to All the Lidos, there are five other public outdoor swimming pools in Yorkshire, including Alpamare Waterpark in Scarborough's North Bay feasibility study recommended the submission of a pre-planning application, "given the unique and rare nature of tidal pool projects".The Scarborough Sea Swimming CIC will now work through the next stages of development, but the committee said it was eager to assist the group if it could. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
